ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP), Sep 25 _ Authorities say a St. Petersburg Fire Rescue paramedic truck accidentally ran over the man it was on its way to help.

Police say dispatchers received a call Thursday afternoon about a person who was bleeding about a block away from the fire station. But as firefighters pulled out of the station, they ran the man over. Police say the victim was apparently lying outside, just a couple feet from the garage doors.

A police spokesman says it appears the firefighters got into the truck before the garage door opened and couldn't see the man as they drove forward.

Rescuers took the man to a nearby hospital with injuries described as life-threatening.